David Weir becomes the latest high-profile ex-Brighton & Hove Albion employee to join Chelsea as he completed a move to sister club Strasbourg
Former Brighton & Hove Albion technical director David Weir has joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg as their sporting director - as Chelsea's owners swooped on the Seagulls again. The former defender becomes the latest member of staff from the AMEX Stadium to join the Blues but this time moving to their sister club.
Weir's time out of football was short-lived after leaving the South Coast club in early September after seven years. The 55-year-old had been at the club in multiple roles before moving his way to the technical director role under Tony Bloom's stewardship.
However, he becomes the latest high-profile swap from Brighton to Chelsea. Although he will start his role at Strasbourg on November 1, he lands his role at the club who are wholly owned by Blues ownership group BlueCo.
Weir joins the likes of Graham Potter to make the move linking up with BlueCo from Brighton, with the former West Ham United boss one of the more high profile departures for Stamford Bridge. There has been an exodus from the Seagulls to Chelsea in recent years and this summer, Facundo Buonaotte joined Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez and Joao Pedro in making the well-trodden journey.
The reaction has been mixed but there has been anger at the latest move between the respective clubs. One X user tweeted: "Utterly embarrassing. Boehly and BlueCo continue to be OBSESSED with Brighton! Strasbourg fans, what are they doing to your club? I’m sorry for you."
Another added: "This is getting funnier and funnier, we have officially become a feeder club to Chelsea and Chelsbourg."
"Do you not feel the slightest amount of shame?" Questioned an X user. Weir expressed his excitement at working alongside former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior as they look to continue their growth.
“It is a great honor to join Racing,” he said. “A historic club with a strong identity and growing ambition.
"I was convinced by the project and the quality of the people already in place. I am eager to settle in Strasbourg and become fully involved in the life of Racing.
"I look forward to working with Liam (Rosenior) and all the teams to contribute to Racing’s success this season and in the years to come.”